Jake Borrett's Writing Blog

Fishing Rod

Fishing Rod

The rod glints in the silver moonlight,

Dripping the bait into the icy pool below

Waiting, waiting, a calm stillness fills the frosty air

A shadow creeps over the scurried ground afar

As the lake hums a tone of all those we have lost

Fishing for memories of times celebrated together

As one, as a group, in the faded burnt sky

A face among the darkened clouds shines

As their name is forever called amongst the wind

A door stands before me, red and green in colour and covered in silver tinsel

I am hoping behind it contains chocolate, like the gold coins I received as a child

Or a mountain covered in the whitest snow drifting along a painted pink sky

Or the people I love, playing games of Articulate and laughing over spilt pints of Coke.

But it could also contain the coldest, darkness, scariest moments of life, which I have shut away.

It may only be a door, but it contains so many possibilities.

I realise it is up to me to decide.

Entering 2023

Entering 2023

2022 was a memorable year.

It was filled with some tough times including being ill with lots of cough and colds; having coronavirus for the first time; Crohn’s disease flare-ups; and crying in toilets. I also had grief counselling to deal with the loss of my dad, who sadly passed away in his nursing home in April 2020 due to complications with his progressive multiple sclerosis. The grief counselling was really helpful as it gave me a safe space to talk about my feelings. As a family, we also remembered and celebrated the lives of my dad, grandma and close family friends. My love will always go out to all of you who have lost someone. It is never easy, but these loved ones will forever be in our hearts. We will always remember them.

It was also a year filled with some incredible moments. I made some good friends and spent time with them at the cinema, playing crazy golf, poker and pool. They mean a lot to me. I also travelled again including to the beautiful Norway and Greece. I also took part in creative writing open mic nights and raised awareness of hidden disabilities and mental health conditions on the radio and in everyday life.

One of my highlights of 2022 was how together we managed to raise over £3,000 for my charity wing walk for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia Foundation. It was an amazing experience flying through the sky on a wing of a bi-plane, and to do it for two brilliant charities meant a lot. Thank you for all your kind support and donations.

Looking back, I managed to achieve my resolutions of 2022 by completing a challenge for charity; travelling more of the world; raising awareness of health conditions; spending time with those I care about; and also remembering those we have lost along the way. 2022 provided me with a lot of hope.

Resolutions for 2023

I am not going to set any concrete resolutions for 2023 as there does seem to be some pressure in order to achieve them. Instead, I want to spend time with friends and loved ones; to continue exploring more of the world; to raise lots of awareness of what it is like to live with Crohn’s disease, dyspraxia, anxiety and depression; and ultimately, to find myself.

I want a happier future for all of us. Take care of yourselves and remember you are amazing. If you ever need to talk, we are here for you. As I write this blog article, it is hailing in January 2023, but like dark days, it will soon ease and give way to brighter times. I believe in you.

Blue

Blue

Sky blue kites flying up into the wind as they glide over the hills and into the scorched horizon

Sea blue as we race into the waves, to splash, to slide before rushing out to protect our sandcastles

Striped blue along the bike as we cycle through lavender fields and let butterflies stroke our blonde hair

Faded blue, the colour of Paddington Bear’s coat, the toy you told me to look after as you knew, one day, you wouldn’t be there.

Last blue, the clear tears which fall onto the dust below as I say goodbye.

Blue, the colour which will always remind me of you.

Wing Walking

Wing Walking

On Thursday 15th September 2022, I completed a charity wing walk for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia Foundation. The date and place were rescheduled due to poor weather conditions on Sunday 4th September 2022, but nevertheless I was still able to complete the challenge a couple of weeks later.

The experience of standing on the wing of a biplane as it flew into the sky was terrifying but also amazing. The wind was immense and the view of Kent below me was beautiful. Together we managed to raise over £2,600 for the two brilliant charities, who support me and countless others living with hidden disabilities.

I have written a poem titled ‘Wing Walking’, which explores some of the thoughts and feelings I had while flying into the sky. This can be found below:

Wing Walking

I stand on the edge of the biplane, the wing no doubt, flying through the misty air

Arms wide apart as the wind rips through my fragile bones and shivering skin

Do not touch the safety pin, are the words relayed in my mind from the training video

Somewhere behind me, is the pilot, doing his job diligently, I hope, as we dart through the sky, side to side, over the greenest fields below and the sheep beyond

I should be scared, but I’m not.

Even though the noise is howling through my ears and the cold is making my eyes tear up behind the googles, I can still see clearly

I think of them. All of them.

All of those who have been there for me through the struggles, through the loneliness, through the grief.

I think of him, wherever he may be now.

I hope Dad is proud.

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Thank you so much for all your kind support and donations along the way. The Wing Walk Company were very professional and I would highly recommend them if you would like to have a go yourself. If you would still like to donate you can do online on my fundraising page found here, https://www.justgiving.com/team/jakeborrettwingwalk

Thank you for being there for me through my experiences of living with Crohn’s disease, dyspraxia, anxiety and depression. I hope Dad was watching from above and was proud. I will always look towards the sky with fondness, so thank you.

Jake Borrett's Writing Blog

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Fishing Rod

Door

Entering 2023

Blue

Wing Walking